Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-19

Tho rest Of the party went on, evidently
not missing him. He waited until they
were out Of hearing and was devoutly
wishing no would 60 on when he WALKED
leisurely up to tho scat, bcllind which was
hiding, and stopped. l could see his face
plainly in tho moonlight, and there was a
smile upon IT, Could he be laughing at mel
Had he seen met asked myself; and he
answered Us II instantly divining my
thoughts:
Eyes know you arc there. Come out
What arc you hiding forr
l crawled out and stood before him, @
very tumbled, confused looking object, nc
doubt, from my hiding among the reeds and
PUSHES that grew on tho bank
$50 YOU hid, did you'll" he inquired, look
ing at me still with that kind, quizzical look,
half laughing, half serious, on his face.
''Wero you afraid, little oner putting out
his hand and drawing mo gently to his side
stroking my tumblcd hair with his white,
shapcly hand.
"No, sir,n / answered, sullenly, shut they
did not want me and hid to keep out o.
their sight"
Eyes, yes" he said, thoughtfully, ant
then without any seeming questions HI
drew from me tho whole story OF my adop
ton by Mrs. Clayton, my treatment since
my arrival there, and my difficulty with lry
ing Barrett that afternoon.
Tho young man seemed puzzled.
"You arc sure you arc no relation to Mrs
Clayton" he said, after few moments
thought.
"None that I know OF, sir,n replied
certainly, If was she would not treat me
sou
Mr.. Dudley smiled. "Perhaps not" he
said. "Dut" he added, starting suddenly,
~ am going away tomorrow, Dorcas Il had
already told him my nance, an shall not be
back for years. / am going abroad to finish
my education. may be gone three, four or
even five years. am sorry am going so
soon for your sake. would SEQ II l could
not unravel this mystery, for mystery it
surely is. But, rs / said before, am going
and have not time now. But now listen to
me, Dorrie: Be good girl; never mind the
sneers and gibes Of the family, but attend
10 your books. You have o kind teacher,
you say, that is good. Make as many friends
as you can and as few enemies, Don't run
away, as dare say you are thinking OF, but
stay here. Let mo find you here when re-
turn. Win you do as wish, little oneln
~ will mover do any thing you would not
like, Mr.. Dudley,nI answered, simply, and
for years kept that promise,
''That is right no answered, gladly,
'Now we will go TO the house,n
He arose and took my hand and ! trudged
along by his side, feeling, knew not why,
strangely safe and glad. When We reached
tho house he pausedl
''Good-night Dorrie,u he said. "Remem-
Der what have told you. You were hiding
tonight, little one, Don't do II again, Dor
cas-. Be open and frank and generous In
your actions, tits the best way, dear. Re-
member what ! have told you and your
promise to me. shall hold you TO that
promise, Dorcas," and he smiled. ~ am
your TREND" he continued, land rs q
pledge will give you this" and he pressed
into my hand something that glittered
brightly
"Keep this" he said; "don't part with it
unless YOU can do no other way. Now
good-bycn He raised me in his arms and
kissed me; then, letting me go, disappeared
within doors.
l looked at the token he had given me. 1t
was bright golden dollar that was shining
on my palm. i saw and felt rich indeed,
for had never owned but single piece Of
money before, and that was large copper
cent which little Paul at the home had given
me, and which now, wrapped in paper, re-
posed in box in my room where kept my
few scanty l1eepsalzes. laid this away
with them when / reached my room, and
then crcpt into bed, feeling quite cheerful
and happy. Some one cared for me-some
one was my friend. This thought comforted
me more than can tell, and l fell asleep TO
dream Of Mr.. Dudley and his magnificent
present.
The next day, or morning rather, saw
the two gentlemen drive away, and knew
my one friend was going far from me, and
could scarcely keep back the tears; but ]
resolved to try, as Mr.. Dudley had told me,
to make tho best Of things, and succeeded
very well, though my life was . hard one
shut out US was from all companionshiI
with children Of my own age Except my
schoolmates at school / knew no one, and
these was strictly forbidden TO visit or in
vite inside the gate Of 1.-THE Hcights,H
Ny only company, therefore, was the serR'
ants OF the household, and though they
were always kind to me, often felt ! was
in the way, and considered nuisance.
At such times would wander away by
myself and sit for hours on the messy bank
of the lake, or under the shade Of a tree
in some part Of the grounds where no ono
could sec me, and there read and re-read
the few books had picked up.
Once year the family went away for q
month or SO, and then, unseen, l would stea
through the grand rooms, feasting my eyes
on the beauties Of the costly furniture, pict
ures, carpets and statuary which tho house
contained. l often wondered Iii the little
heiress of Caledon (the dead one meant)
had ever traversed these rooms, or her
childish laughter or chatter ever echoed
through the house, or had she died ignorant
Of all this grandeur that should have been
hers. inquired of Maggie about her, for
somehow felt q strong interest and sym.
pathy for the little girl who had died when
she had so much to live for. But Maggie
knew nothing about her, She had died long
before she came there, she said; and she did
not even know her name, though she DO
lieyed It was Dolly, or some thing like II.
"Tho housckeeper could tell ye," sho said
but dislilsed 20 ask questions Of this grave
parsonage, and so remained In Ignorance
Of what might have been great benefit
TO me.
seldom went to church, and 1 missed the
sermon we had always been used to hear
each Sabbath and our quiet Sabbath-school
very much. The family went to church in
their grand carriage, and liveried coach
man drove their handsome horses for them.
The servants were permitted to attend once
in the day at any church they chose; but
few awaited themselves Of this privilege,
preferringto gather in the kitchen and Cos
sip. Maggie occasionally went to church, but
the church she attended was Romanish one
and l did not understand word Of what
was said; so begged 10 remain at home, q
request she was only too glad TO grant.
often wondered at my strange life, for
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